Sustainable Development - Das neue Denken in der Wasserwirtschaft!

Since the present management of water resources in Germany guarantees a long-term drinking water supply and meets standards and regulations, it is frequently stated that this management already matches the requirements of sustainable development. Though, it is often not considered that the fulfillment of public water supply also requires considerable economical and ecological resources like energy, raw material, space and others. Of course, in recent years there was a huge effort to improve water quality and water conservation strategies in Germany. However, for present and future situations it has to be determined whether further increase of technical and financial expenditure to react on quality concerns - that are in part caused by the present system of water and wastewater management itself - is still within the meaning of a sustainable development. This paper presents the state of international and nationwide discussions and offers preliminary answers to reach a sustainable water management.